The MLB universe is still talking about the Colorado Rockies‘ decision to sign third baseman/left fielder Kris Bryant to a seven-year, $182 million contract this week.
The deal was unexpected on so many levels, but the player has a new home and has always been a professional: it was his decision, and it should be respected.
He is already training and hitting with his new team, and his right-handed swing looks as good as ever.
“New look, same @KrisBryant_23,” the league’s official account tweeted on Friday afternoon, showing a clip of Bryant sending a ball to the moon in batting practice.
New look, same @KrisBryant_23. 👀 pic.twitter.com/lrYnSqcwPf
— MLB (@MLB) March 18, 2022
Several teams were in on the 30-year-old slugger, including some contenders, but the Rockies got the last laugh, and will get to enjoy a former Rookie of the Year, MVP, and World Series champion.
They hope their roster can be motivated by Bryant’s presence.
Bryant Will Try To Regain Elite Status In Colorado
The sweet-swinging Bryant overcame a troublesome shoulder injury in 2020 to have a nice bounceback campaign in 2021.
In 144 games, he accumulated 586 plate appearances in which he showed that, while he is not the same player who won the MVP in 2016, he can still be very productive.
Between the Chicago Cubs and the San Francisco Giants, he slashed .265/.353/.481 with 25 home runs, 86 runs, 73 RBI, and 10 stolen bases.
He accumulated 3.6 Wins Above Replacement, or WAR, a solid output considering the injury questions surrounding him before the season.
If he is healthy enough to play at least 145-150 games, Bryant could potentially have some monster numbers in the hitter-friendly Coors Field, taking advantage of Colorado’s thin air.
Every baseball fan will surely be rooting for him to do well.
NEXT: Kris Bryant Was Smart To Bet On Himself
